China's newly launched weekend charter flights across the Taiwan Straits have received positive reaction from the island province's business circle. Insiders on both sides of the Straits say the flights will have more than just economic benefits. Our reporter Tu Yun has the details.

A total of 760 mainland tourists were headed for an unprecedented tour of Taiwan on Friday when the first weekend charter flights flew across the Straits.

The island's Cross-Taiwan Strait Sightseeing and Tourism Association held a lavish banquet in Taipei to welcome the inaugural group of mainland travelers.

Shao Qiwei, chairman of the the mainland's Cross-Strait Tourism Communication Association, spoke at the banquet.

"It's really a dream for many mainland citizens to travel in Taiwan. Today, for every member of the inaugural tour group, the dream has come true. History will remember this happy gathering between us."

Although it is only the first day of their trip, the eager travelers have already been sightseeing. Nine-year-old Yu Fei has just visited the Palace Museum in Taipei.

"There are so many treasures. All of them are delicate. I love them very much."

Taiwan businesses have made special preparations to welcome mainland travelers.

Many department stores and hotels have added signs in simplified Chinese. They also have trained staff how to greet mainland travelers in Mandarin.

Restaurants have prepared special dishes. A restaurant owner on the Sun and Moon Lake, a famous scenic spot on the island, went to the mainland to learn how to cook some traditional dishes.

"I just wanted to learn some favorite dishes of mainland travelers and introduce them to Taiwan. So when mainland travelers come to visit the Sun and Moon Lake, they will be satisfied with what they eat here."

Liu Baojie, a Taiwan expert on the cross-straits issues said the opening of cross-straits tourism is an enormous economic opportunity for the island.

"It will create as much as 60 billion yuan of business opportunities for Taiwan. And this is just a basic number, a conservative estimation. "

Lien Chan Honorary Chairman of Taiwan's Chinese Nationalist Party, or Kuomingtang, said the meaning of the regular weekend charter flights goes way beyond economy.

"It will enhance mutual understanding between compatriots on both sides, help them get along better with each other, and deepen bilateral cooperation."

Tu Yun, CRI news.